If you have cracked wardrobe planning would you mind sharing your secrets?

[anatara]

Just that really, if you like clothes, are interested in trends, but not a slave to them and feel like your wardrobe is up and together would you mind sharing your secrets?

I'd be interested to know how you plan your purchases, how you stay up to date, and do you make mistakes? I do and beat myself up about them, but maybe I just need to accept them as part of the learning curve?

I’m not sure if this is what you mean and it’s work in progress but these are some habits that have helped build a more cohesive wardrobe of things I love and actually wear. I love clothes and aside from body/lifestyle/climate changes, I had a big problem with buying lots of random stuff (I that didn’t need or love (I am easily dazzled and distracted when browsing).

• Lots of time spent on Pinterest, looking at Kibbe and seasonal analysis, thinking about what suits me and my lifestyle. I made some detailed style notes (colour palette, prints, style icons, brands, staple outfits, silhouettes etc)that I check before buying. Of course I can ignore these “rules” but reminding myself of them keeps the random regret buys of trends that aren’t “me” or impulsive sale items to a minimum.
• Keeping a list of wardrobe gaps (often boring basics) and consult before purchasing
• Ditto for wishlist of stuff I really really want. I’m aiming for style not fashion but I do look at Instagram, Pinterest and whowhatwear and of course that filters through. Again I can buy off-list but it means purchases are more considered and I’m better at saving for the dream dress.
• Saving searches on Vinted/eBay also keeps me on track and saves time. Limiting myself to a few brands helps limit mistakes as I’m confident about sizing and quality.
• Wardrobe app helps with outfit planning and effective shopping
• Buying preloved that is so cheap I don’t mind donating or if pricier I can easily resell for the same price means I’m not bothered my mistakes
• Taking everything to the tailor has transformed some mistakes into staples

This is something I’ve been working on for a while and, while I haven’t quite got there yet, I’m on my way. It was chaos before and I felt never had the right thing to wear. I’m sure a lot of this is obvious to some but things that helped me are:

• Recognising that my lifestyle isn’t quite how I like to imagine it. I’ve stopped buying so many party dresses and going out clothes. I just don’t go out enough, particularly after Covid, to justify them. I now have some stylish but casual clothes for the weekends, where previously I was making do with old t shirts and badly fitting jeans. I’ve kept my work clothes simple and in shapes that suit me (slightly A line mini skirts, high waisted trousers, silk or fine cotton shirts and blouses, blazers) and in a palette of colours that go together and suit me

• Having duplicates or similar of basics I wear frequently - like white shirts and basic tops to wear with skirts - so I don’t get stuck when I need something and it’s in the wash

• Check things like tights, invisible socks, seamless underwear and strapless bras etc and restock where needed at the start of each season

• Frequently reorganize my wardrobes - store out of season clothes away, send things that no longer work to charity or recycling, clothes organised by type, length and colour so I can easily see what I have. I try to keep on top of de-bobbling knitwear, taking up trousers, fixing hems etc

• Trying on sessions every so often to experiment with new combinations of what I already have

• Buying the right shoes - shoes that go with my lifestyle and clothes rather than ones that I just like - and taking care of them. Replacing much loved pairs with similar before they totally fall apart

• Styling and accessorizing my outfits using Pinterest, Insta etc for inspiration. Keeps me looking current and means simple outfits look more interesting and considered

• Sticking to a few well loved brands. Means I know what size I am, what shapes suit me and since the clothes are designed as a collection they go together